The Newes from America: An Edgartown classic

The Newes From America, with its exposed beams, low ceiling and dim lighting, is just the place for a cozy dinner on a cold winter night, maybe before (or after) a movie.

The new Wee Bites menu ($2 to $4) is ideal for sharing a few different things with some friends. The portions are smaller than your average appetizer but each mini-option packs a lot of flavor.

The McDermot Slider ($3) “tastes just like a McDonald’s cheeseburger” the bartender assured me. A little weary of the comparison, I ordered the mini-burger anyway. I admit, there was a certain similarity, but not in the unnerving “what kind of meat is this, again?” kind of way. The likeness came from the equal parts mustard and ketchup, bread and butter pickles, and chopped white onion, and it was good. So good that when we finished the bite-size burger we ordered another one, the Stiletto Slider this time ($4) topped with Roquefort cheese, bacon, and HP sauce (a brown sauce with a malt vinegar base, tomato, dates, tamarind with sweetener and spices). The Stiletto Slider is a bit richer courtesy of the bacon and tangier thanks to the Roquefort. Both delicious, and together they make a great appetizer for two.

The Pub Poppers ($4) are halved jalapeno peppers covered in cream cheese then battered and fried, served with dipping sauce. A bowl of the Newes Mix pickles ($2) or Porter Glazed Mushrooms with garlic butter and parsley ($2) are great to snack on while navigating your way through the lengthy regular menu.

Under “Headlines” you will find a selection of starters such as New England Clam Chowder and Onion Soup with three cheeses and garlic toast. Or for a larger, share-worthy appetizer, the Creamy Artichoke and Spinach dip, served with pita crisps; or Fried Calamari with Old Bay seasoning, jalapeno and banana peppers.

There are almost a dozen sandwiches and burgers, served with salad or fries, to choose from under the heading “Between the Lines,” such as the Parmesan Eggplant Sandwich, (fried eggplant, baby spinach, roasted garlic marinara, and Provolone cheese) or the Reuben (corned beef, Swiss cheese, sauerkraut, and Thousand Island dressing).

If a sandwich isn’t going to cut it and a proper dinner is what you’re looking for, you’ll find the entrée selections under “Featured Articles.” Options such as Bangers and Mash (a traditional English dish of sausage and mashed potatoes served with onion gravy), Fish and Chips, Steak and Spuds (grilled sirloin with crispy potatoes served with a scallion sour cream dipping sauce) and the Newes’ take on a very-trendy-at-the-moment dish: Lobster Mac and Cheese. Some question the morality of drowning perfectly good lobster meat in a creamy cheese sauce (to each their own), but for a rich, hearty splurge it doesn’t get much better.